PBA charter change: To make live viewing a great experience

PBA charter change: To make live viewing a great experience

LAS VEGAS - The Philippine Basketball Association is revisiting its constitution and by-laws, and will introduce innovations in line with the league's thrust to make its games more appealing to the fans.

The PBA, under the chairmanship of Ricky Vargas and the commissionership of Willie Marcial, wants to improve its product - the PBA game - and make in-venue watching a great, fun experience.

"We'll review our by-laws. There are about 20 items to be changed," said the league chairman on among initial key points the league board has discussed in their planning session at The Venetian Hotel here.

Going with the charter change plan are plans and programs all geared towards getting the fans into the games just as what the league saw in the recent PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs spiked by the well-followed Barangay Ginebra-San Miguel Beer finale.

"We're improving our loyalty program. We're putting up more in-venue activities. We'll reward our in-venue fans. We'll make PBA live a great thrill, fun and a truly experience to remember," said the league commissioner.

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The PBA will try to improve the league balance and parity among 12 teams as the board revisits the league by-laws.

New rules may well be adopted in the annual rookie draft - among the process in place purposely to help keep the balance of the league.

Some governors, however, are convinced they have to tinker with the draft rules.

Approved in principle are rules in the election of the league chairman, and the hiring and firing of the commissioner.

"The chairmanship is to be reviewed. If the proposal is approved, the chairman can be reelected, but succession is still to be followed," said Meralco representative Al Panlilio.

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Vargas is to serve as the league chairman until the 2019 Rookie Draft. Set to succeed him in the rotation is Alaska Milk's Dickie Bachmann.

If the board would choose to reelect Vargas, Bachmann's term would be pushed to a later season.

As for the commissionership, the tenure will be back to an annual basis after the expiration of Marcial's three-year term on 2021. (SB)